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Chapter 4

  In the Southlane Dormitories people were going in and out. They all looked different, from places where they come from to their accents, their clothes and conduct. What they all had in common thought was a sharpness to them seen unlike in anyone.

  They spoke in groups. Careful to make that distinction and if conflict arose it was just as quick extinguished. Like it wasn't there in the first place.

  In such a delicate balance of a situation walked in Adrian into the common longue on the first floor. He was carrying a plastic bag in each hand filled to the brim with groceries.

  As he passed by, he received various glances. He glanced back at them and noticed those stares to range from curiosity to disgust and to downright ridicule. One person in particular, the tattooed guy back from lunch, was glaring at him like at a bug about to pole dance.

  Adrian shook his head and walked to the elevator. The swishing of his bags was the only sound that was heard all throughout the first floor. Then silence.

  He had pressed the elevator button and now there was an absolute silence as he was waiting. And it seemed the people were waiting with him.

  He started tapping his foot rhythmically. Looking at the touchpad he saw 8 blinking there and an arrow pointing downwards.

  That's just great.

  Having nothing to do he started checking his groceries, one by one.

  Kilo of rice, the same with potatoes, then a three packs of tortillas to make easy dinner for later if need be. Yes, then sauces and...

  A step that's what he heard. It was a single sound that cut off all of his thought processes. It was like something got woken up inside him that made him focus all on that sound. His muscles got tense in preparation for what's to come. He was at an all-time peak condition just waiting for the moment to come. For the string to be cut. For him to be released from his cage.

  And he saw it with each soft ping of the elevator coming down a floor the steps followed.

  Until it came down to 0. His body turned and

  His shoulder got caught and the strength as it came got dispersed.

  "Yooooo, that's some good things you've got there. You're a cook or something? If so… I don't think I'll be able to live without you for long." A male voice sounded from beside him. It was exaggerated like no other with familiarity tinged in it for treating everyone as a friend.

  Those words were like a wake up for Adrian as that feeling and whole situation came back to him. His muscles became relaxed and he was back to normal.

  What was that? This... I could've just hurt someone. At least I did not. Damn it’s weird. And what has made me feel that way some footsteps? I'm worrying about footsteps. Hah I should go home, relax, get dinner and sleep.

  Adrian turned his head and first saw a smiling boy beside him. He had painted red hair brushed into a bird's nest on his head. The look was complete with a pair of glasses that made him look ridiculous. He was the one holding his shoulder and now even him.

  "Thanks for holding me back. I'm getting kinda jumpy."

  The boy smiled and waved his hand in front of him. "That's fine, that's fine. It happens to the best of us rough first day, huh?"

  "Yeah... I guess so."

  "Right. So, how about then you make me dinner?" The boy let go of Adrian's shoulder as the elevator was there waiting for them with its doors open.

  "Pardon me?"

  "You're pardoned."

  In a silent awe they both stepped inside.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Just as Adrian turned, he saw the tattooed guy along with the gal as they were looking at... him. The guy had his arms to his sides while one foot forward. The gal on the other hand looked oblivious to the whole situation preferring to twist her dirty blond hair and look on in amusement.

  "You two lovebirds? Are you going in or what? We can't let the elevator stop too much; there's other people too. We've got to think about them too." The boy beside him said.

  Before the tattooed man could speak. The gal placed her hand on his chest and ran it slightly down before speaking in his stead. "No, we'll go after you. There's no need for you to make space for us."

  "As you want." The boy said and pressed a button to floor 5.

  The elevator doors got closed as they were all staring at each in silence. While Adrian was still wondering what the fuck is going on?

  Just as he came to his senses and leaned forward to press his button, he realised it was already pressed.

  "What's happening?"

  "You mean them? Don't worry about them that's just Becky and Nicolaus and their antics. You'll get used to it, but don't think about what they do in the elevator." The boy shuddered as he looked all around himself and jumped back when he thought he saw something wet and glistening on the floor.

  "No, I mean. What's the matter with you?"

  "Oh. Me. Ooooh right. I forgot." He leaned back and slapped his forehead, before going forward like a jack-in-the-box. "I am your new roommate Huymin Jin. Nice to meet you."

  "Yeah... Nice to meet you."

  "Good, good. So, what's the thing you wanted to ask?"

  Adrian looked at him, then downwards and sighed.

  "It's alright I'll say what I know and not less."

  "About the dinner? That you were joking right? Better yet, how did you mean to put it because it's hard for me to read you and know if you're joking or not?"

  "I wasn't joking." Jin looked at him dead in the eyes and Adrian without having to do anything reciprocated the look.

  "Ok..."

  "No. I meant you do dinner and I'll do everything else around it. You know the dishes, serving and I'll be paying for half the groceries. Half and half. That's how it should be. What do you say?"

  "Ok."

  "Right, I know. I'm - you know… here take this." Jin reached into his pockets from where he fished out his wallet. He then started counting the bills. "Let's start now. Here."

  A stack of bills appeared before him, counting all the way up to 50.

  "I can't take this. It's too much."

  "Yeah, you can. This is for next time as well when you decide to cook."

  In a moment a stack of bills disappeared into the plastic bag as Adrian couldn't defend himself from Jin's onslaught.

  "Nice." Jin said.

  "You're weird."

  "That's not nice, but I can live with that."

  They both smirked.

  The next two floors went without a hitch with their light banter making for a ride. They stepped out the elevator, it got closed after them and with great satisfaction they both headed for their new home. 551, 552, 3 and 4 and they're here.

  Sweet home.

  Adrian waited by with his groceries and looked at Jin for him to open, show him if he really lives there. Andy had a small smile on watching Jin as he first got what he meant and then reached out into his pocket and... nothing.

  It was empty, Jin looked alarmed for a second like a scared cat with a tail being stepped on. He patted his front pockets, then back ones, then front. He reached out into his other front pocket and pulled out the keys.

  He sighed and put the key in the key hole. "I was worried there for a second. That could've been a rodeo having to go get a new key from the school." Adrian watched him as he turned the keys and the door unlocked - in part even more glad than Jin at not letting just any stranger follow him.

  "Yeah... They for sure would remember you."

  "True. Or you could've just let me in yourself." Jin stepped inside and turned to see a face that said 'Not in a million years'.

  "Would you let me in if our situations were swapped?" Adrian asked as he put down the groceries and closed the door behind.

  "That depends."

  "On what?"

  "My ability."

  "Yes?"

  Are you kidding me? Adrian was so done that not even his face changed as he continued looking at Jin. Today nothing more could surprise him and a shower plus good sleep sounded more and more like a lottery win.

  "If you're asking for yourself. Then yes I would let you in, you look like a ... cool guy."

  "Why the pause? And what do you mean for myself. You'd let in someone else right on the first day? You outta your mind?"

  "There are some people. Cool people like you I mean and stuff that I would let in. Don't take it to heart I didn't know the best word to say it."

  "Ok.” Adrian pressed fingers to his temple, massaging it in slow circles as he worked out a feasible plan to end the day on a good note. “If anything, I'm going to make that dinner. What do you say, still keen on helping me?"

  "Yes, bring it on for Hyumin Jin never runs from a fight." Jin rolled up his sleeves and exposed his athletic hands before picking a fight with the tableware.

  Adrian closed his eyes and sighed. I guess this is something. Not too bad, not ideal. Yeah, but alright.

  He opened them and saw Jin about done, just refilling the salt while hanging on the backseat, going forward and backward.

  This is going to be something. Adrian took out some food and started by preparing the cutting board, heating the pan and

  A big BOOM interrupted him and made him look back. On the floor was Jin with his hands outstretched while salt was all around him. It looked like he was doing a rendition of a snow angel.

  "I'm fine... Just resting..." Jin intertwined his hands and started enjoying his new view at the ceiling with no intention of getting up.

  "Of course... I wasn't thinking otherwise."

  Never a dull moment huh. At least there's going to be some fun in my day-to-day life.

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